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Residents across a wide stretch of Saskatchewan are being urged to keep their eyes on the sky Wednesday as yet another round of severe thunderstorms is forecast to develop through the afternoon and evening.
A low-pressure system pushing in from Alberta is expected to spark powerful storms from Leader and North Battleford through Saskatoon and down to Regina, according to Environment and Climate Change Canada.
Forecasters say the setup includes a warm front draped diagonally across the province, coupled with a sharp change in air masses known as a “dryline,” a classic recipe for thunderstorm development. Storms are expected to begin firing near Leader later this afternoon and track northeast through the evening.
These storms have all the right ingredients. Warm, unstable air, wind shear, and plenty of moisture it’s the kind of pattern that can lead to fast-growing, dangerous thunderstorms.
The main threats are large hail, with stones potentially reaching the size of golf balls (up to 4 cm), and strong wind gusts that could cause damage to property or toss loose objects.
Meteorologists are cautioning that with moisture levels running higher than model data suggests, conditions may be ripe for isolated tornadoes, particularly if a storm interacts with the warm front.
We can’t rule out a tornado or two this evening, especially near the transition zone.
The severe weather risk won’t end with sunset. Thanks to a strong upper-level jet stream and a continued feed of warm, moist air, storms could rumble well into the overnight hours as the system pushes eastward.
The advice to the public: have a way to receive alerts after dark.
People in affected areas are encouraged to secure outdoor belongings, prepare for possible power outages, and keep an eye on official warnings through the WeatherCAN app or Environment Canada’s website.
This latest round of active weather follows a busy June in Saskatchewan, with at least a dozen tornadoes already under review by ECCC.